Assessor Resource

SIFBCR016A
Supervise exhumations

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit applies to cemetery and crematorium supervisory staff and funeral directors and involves taking responsibility for exhumations and overseeing the work of others.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to supervise the exhumation of burial sites. It involves identifying and communicating work requirements, identifying and communicating hazards, and supervising staff undertaking the exhumation.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

SIFOHS007A Identifyhazardsandassess risks in a cemetery or crematorium

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

ability to identify burial location and to assess safe exhumation methods

the co-ordination of required personnel, tools, equipment and machinery and monitoring of operations to ensure all exhumations are conducted safely and efficiently and in accordance with work specifications

use of clear and accurate communication with colleagues and supervision of the safe and efficient exhumation of remains using infection control procedures and the reinstatement and good presentation of burial sites at conclusion of exhumation

knowledge of regulatory requirements and methods for exhumations and ability to deal with breaches

supervising exhumations on multiple occasions to ensure consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

demonstration of skills in a cemetery environment where human remains are exhumed

access to protective restraints

access to appropriate privacy screens

access to a range of tools and equipment required to exhume a burial site.

Methods of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of candidate planning and preparing for work

observation of candidate supervising staff in:

preparing and using tools and equipment

identifying burial sites

identifying safety hazards

placing protective restraints

exhuming and transferring remains

written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures with regard to exhumations

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills, including active listening and questioning techniques to identify and confirm exhumation requirements and to identify areas of responsibility

problem-solving skills to recognise unsafe situations and take corrective action

teamwork skills to coordinate and supervise staff in performance of required tasks

literacy and numeracy skills to interpret and read drawing specifications, cemetery maps and plans, and understand written documentation

planning and organisational skills to advise staff of exhumation requirements, monitor staff performance of task, and work to timelines

interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

in-depth knowledge of relevant federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to OHS and conduct of exhumations

workplace policies and procedures

gravedigging procedures

shoring methods and procedures

tools and equipment

machinery operations.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Burial site may include:

below ground

above ground

crypt

mausoleum

tomb

vault

lined grave

unlined grave.

Appropriate personnel may include:

manager

supervisor

leading hand.

Work requirements may include:

removal of remains

lifting and repositioning or deepening of burial sites

storage or transfer of remains

scheduling of work.

Tools, equipment and machinery may include:

personal protective equipment

mechanical or hydraulic bracing equipment

spade

shovel

pick

crowbar

auger

sledgehammer

timber mallet

ladder that complies with requirements of current Australian standard

backhoe

front-end loader

skidsteer loader

excavator

tractor

truck

lowering and lifting devices.

Hazards may include:

air

water

vibration

heat

slippery surfaces

overhead obstacles

ground pressure, such as:

machinery

people

soil

structures

previously dug graves

monument collapse

foreign objects

drains

cables

sprinklers

pipes

trees and roots.

Protective restraints may include:

sheeting

barricades

temporary fencing

reinforced covers.

Authorised personnel may include:

manager

supervisor

court personnel

police

coroner

department of health

family.

Workplace policies and procedures may include:

standard operating policies and procedures

standards and certification requirements

quality assurance procedures

OHS procedures

emergency procedures, including fire and accident procedures.

Universal precautions must include:

use of personal protective equipment

presumption that all blood and body fluids are infectious

covering exposed cuts and abrasions, particularly on workers' hands, with waterproof coverings prior to commencing work

immediate treatment of puncture wounds or abrasions

use of protective clothing when cleaning spillage of body fluids.

Relevant legislation and regulations may include:

OHS

cemetery Acts and by-laws

local government regulations

Lands Act

Public Health Act

Environment Protection Act

Australian standards

Worksafe Australia certification and standards.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Confirm legality of reason for exhuming grave. 
Identify correct burial site from cemetery map or plan. 
Liaise with appropriate personnel to identify work requirements and confirm areas of responsibility in performing exhumation. 
Identify tools, equipment and machinery and confirm assembly and checks. 
Communicate identified hazards and assist staff to take corrective action. 
Supervise staff in placing protective restraints to restrict access to site to authorised personnel according to work requirements and relevant legislation. 
Supervise exhumation to ensure it is performed according to workplace policies and procedures, universal precautions and relevant legislation. 
Use screens or other means to protect privacy of the remains. 
Supervise and assist staff in enclosing remains of the deceased person and coffin or casket in appropriate casing as required. 
Supervise staff and assist in transferring remains as necessary according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SIFBCR016A - Supervise exhumations
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

SIFBCR016A - Supervise exhumations

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: